With the complexity of brain cancer, each discovery can bring hope to patients and family members.Although there is still a long way to go, the progress in recent years shows that we are expected to make brain cancer no longer equal to being sentenced to death.
Over the past few decades, brain cancer has been considered to be one of the worst malignant tumors in the medical community.Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant primary brain tumor. For a long time, although we have been trying to try to treat this type of tumor, we are all futile.Globe female cytoma is the most fatal tumor. Even with positive treatment, the average survival period of patients is only 15 months.But now, the rapid development of science has made people see the dawn of the front line.
The difficulty of treating brain cancer lies in the complexity of the brain.The subtle characteristics of the brain make the risk of completely remove the tumor through surgery without causing severe damage is almost zero.In addition, although the blood -brain barrier plays a vital protective role, it also hinders many drugs and immune cells entering the affected area.Because of these challenges, although we have made great progress in treating other cancers, the survival rate of brain cancer has not been improved in the past 50 years.
Due to the risk of such malignant tumors, it will increase with age, so Singapore, which has a fast aging population, is likely to face the increasingly heavy burden brought by this disease.In fact, recent research predicts that in the next 20 years, the incidence of brain cancer in Asia will rise sharply, resulting in a significant increase in mortality.
Breakthrough discovery new road
The breakthroughs in the scientific community in recent years are in the new path of the future treatment direction.In 2009, my research found that mutations of alienate dehydrogenases (IDH) 1 and 2 gene mutations are the key factor in some brain tumors.Now, these genetic mutations are considered to be a key factor that leads to the development of low -level glue tumors, and most of the low -grade gel tumors appear on young people.
This discovery triggered a large number of research and cooperation around the world. In the end, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the use of Voraisidenib drugs in the near future.The first new therapy.The function of oral drugs such as Wallaxinini is to block the role produced by the mutant IDH1 and 2 genes, thereby slowing the growth of tumors.This helps to postpone the need for patients with stronger toxic treatment such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which not only extend the life of patients, but also improve their quality of life.
Researchers are currently making progress in several key areas.They are confirming the new type of biomarkers used in early detection, and are developing new diagnostic tools for colloidal cell tumor -type subtypes to improve the effectiveness of therapeutic and improve survival rates.Scientists are also trying to reveal the mystery of tumor growth micro -environment, trying to find key metabolism and immune pathways of tumor survival.
In Singapore, researchers have also made significant contributions to this global efforts.For example, a research team led by Associate Professor Zhu Jiushang, a Singapore National University Yang Lingling Medical College, developed a stem cell gene therapy, which is expected to fight against invasive brain tumors.This innovation method can not only kill cancer cells, but also activate the patient's own immune system, thereby inhibiting tumor growth for a long time.The clinical trials of this therapy will be launched in 2025, bringing new hope to patients with recurrent gumocytoma.
Constantly promote brain cancer research
One of the biggest challenges facing brain cancer is to develop therapy that can cross the blood brain barrier.To solve this problem, the Singapore Science and Technology Research Bureau (A*Star) molecular and cell biology research (IMCB) group of scientists led by Dr Andrea Pavesi, a group of scientists, designed a breakthroughSexual micro -flow equipment can simulate blood brain barrier and human brain tumor.This innovation allows researchers to quickly screen new chemotherapy drugs and evaluate their ability to cross the barrier. It is a key step in developing more effective treatment methods.
In addition, the neuropathic group science laboratory of molecular and cell biology research also focuses on three key areas: confirming new biomarkers for early testing, creating drugs that can cross the blood brain barrierAnd the micro -loop of tumor growth.These studies are different from the traditional cancer internal signal mechanism research, which aims to enhance the human body's natural immune response to colloidal cytoma.
In order to ensure that research breakthroughs can be transformed quickly and efficiently into feasible and effective clinical applications, the laboratory is working with a number of leading institutions, including the National Brain Neurological College, the National University Medical Organization, and the Asian Neuroma Society.
We are also studying and exploring personalized medical methods to tailor the treatment plan according to the individual conditions of the patient, which may completely change the treatment of brain cancer.By analyzing the unique characteristics of each patient's tumor, our goal is to develop a tailor -made treatment strategy for patients.These strategies are more effective and less side effects than in the past.
From death to cure diseases
With the aging of the global population, our work is becoming more urgent.It is almost impossible to remove brain tumors completely through surgery. Therefore, we may not be able to find brain cancer in the operating room, especially the method of gum female cytoma, but we can look forward to the laboratory.Our research and development work makes us closer to a long -term pursuit of goals: transform brain cancer from a poor prognosis to a controlled and cure disease.
With the complexity of brain cancer, each discovery can bring hope to patients and family members.Although we still have a long way to go, the progress in recent years shows that we are expected to make brain cancer no longer equal to the death penalty.
Singapore has dynamic clinical research ecosystems, cutting -edge infrastructure, and strong funds. It has unique advantages in leading Asian anti -glue maternal cytoma.This brings great hope to patients and families affected by this serious disease.
The author is the director of the Neuroma Research Laboratory
Translation of Lin Huihui
The "Scientific Star language" column is cooperated with the United Morning Post and the Singapore Science and Technology Research Bureau to launch every month
